Drug interactions
Cimetidine + Metformin-sitagliptin
Severity: Moderate
Cimetidine and Metformin-sitagliptin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Cimetidine raises metformin plasma concentrations and reduces its clearance. This may increase glucose-lowering effect and the risk of lactic acidosis, especially in renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cimetidine and Metformin-sitagliptin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Cimetidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Metformin-sitagliptin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Cimetidine inhibits renal tubular secretion of metformin via OCT2 and MATE transporters.
What to do
Monitor glucose and renal function, and consider reducing the metformin dose. Use an alternative acid suppressant such as a proton pump inhibitor where appropriate.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cimetidine and Metformin-sitagliptin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Metformin-sitagliptin
Other interactions of Cimetidine
- Cimetidine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Cimetidine + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Cimetidine Major
- Atazanavir + Cimetidine Major
- Carmustine + Cimetidine Major
- Cimetidine + Citalopram Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cimetidine with Metformin-sitagliptin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cimetidine and Metformin-sitagliptin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Cimetidine raises metformin plasma concentrations and reduces its clearance. This may increase glucose-lowering effect and the risk of lactic acidosis, especially in renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine and Metformin-sitagliptin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor glucose and renal function, and consider reducing the metformin dose. Use an alternative acid suppressant such as a proton pump inhibitor where appropriate.
What other medicines interact with Metformin-sitagliptin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Metformin-sitagliptin with, for example, Clozapine, Contrast media, Diatrizoate meglumine / diatrizoate. The full list is on the Metformin-sitagliptin page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
